
LYRICS 



OF 



Life amidi hme 




BY 



Pret. Mapol®(Q)B Boiuapart® Edwaurd 



LYRICS 

O F 

LIFE AND LOVE 



BY 
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE EDWARD 

H 



NEWS PRINT 
HEMPSTEAD 






COPYRIGHT BY 

PROF. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE EDWARD 

1914 



MAR 25 1914 

©aA3710J7 



INDEX 



The Washerwoman 1 Thanksgiving .._...33 

Likes 2 0! 34 

Against 'Em 3 Eden 35 

Gettysburg 4 Rise 36 

Livingstone 5 The Call 37 

Paradox 6 The Negro 38 

Friends 7 1914 39 

The Night 8 Journeying 40 

Mt. Sinai 9 The Texas Flood 41 

Garrison 10 Peace 42 

Looking Back 11 One 43 

1913 12 Heartease 44 

Roosevelt 13 The Colored Fair 45 

Christmas Bells 14 Hikin' 46 

The Comet 15 The Battleship Texas 47 

Childhood 16 The Highway of Life 48 

**Juneteenth" 17 Piccaninny 49 

Up 18 Sweet Love 50 

Bruised 19 Lost Love 51 

Uncle Sam 20 Let Me 52 

Butterfly 21 With Me 53 

Mocking Bird 22 On an' Up 54 

None 23 Bread 55 

Tho' 24 Home 56 

The Farmer 25 The Bootblack 57 

Rent 26 Hares 58 

Crisis 27 Booker T 59 

Deaf Smith 28 One an' One 60 

Stephen F. Austin 29 Right and 'rong 61 

Out 30 p^ r f^ 

rpu T3 4. on A Desert 63 

The Past 30 i;^^^ ^^4 

The North Pole 31 Rippling 65 

Go 32 Cozy 66 



THE WASHERWOMAN. 

Ho! Mistress of the iron ship, 

Thou's braved so many weary storms 

And fed the tiny, hungry, nip 

And borne the humble inmates on. 

O'er thousand ruffled seas you\e sailed 
Your ship a swinging to and fro. 

But to the rudder thou wert nailed. 
And steered the ship to yonder shore. 

The Miss's the Washerwoman pert. 

The ship's the smoothing f urnace-i'on ; 

The sea's the bosom of a shirt. 

The freight's the children and the scion. 

Sail on, Sail on, an' on an' on 
And hold the rudder of the ship; 

We'll crown and honor that right arm 
And praise thy name with singing lip ! 

And awe-strained eye can scarce detect. 



LIKES. 

I like going, going, 

All day long, 
And be sowing, sowing, 

Pearls along. 

I like doing, doing. 

Daily round. 
And be brewing, brewing, 

Wisdom found. 

I like ringing, ringing. 

Of church gong 
And be singing, singing 

Solemn song. 

I like seeking, seeking 

Promised land 
And be keeping, keeping 

His command. 

I like treating, treating 

All men right 
And be beating, beating 

Back the night. 

I like gleaning, gleaning 

Of His love 
And be dreaming, dreaming 

Of Above. 



AGAINST 'EM. 

I'm against 'em. 

The mean and low, 
The black-hand blow 
The back-hand blow, 
And big vain show. 

I'm against 'em. 

I^m against 'em, 

The swindling cheat 
And card-game meet 
On backway street. 

I'm against 'em. 

I'm against 'em, 

The fake and clown. 
The run-around 
And loafer found. 

I'm against 'em. 

I'm against 'em. 
The miser way. 
The puny pay 
For one long day. 

I'm against 'em. 

I'm against 'em, 
The iron quack, 
The wrong in fact 
Holding us back. 

I'm against 'em. 

I'm against 'em. 

The noisy crowd, 
The high-head proud 
Aboasting loud. 

I'm against 'em. 



GETTYSBURG. 

0, Gettysburg, where once 

The peerless Blue and Gray 

Met face to face in war, 

Where loud-mouthed cannons roared 

And brother^s blood ran free ; 

Thy darkest clouds have fled 

And golden suns appear, 

No more will bugles call 

And swords and sabers flash 

And horse and rider fall 

In fratricidal strife. 

Though days like those have gone 

Into the past, beyond, 

The blood so freely run 

On Cemetery Ridge, 

Gulp's Hill, Little Round Top 

And Seminary Ridge, 

Still sings from those crimson 

Grounds our N'ational Song. 

Here lies the test and bond. 

The Nation's life and hope; 

Here lies dead forever 

The last dragon who would 

The Nation rend apart! 



LIVINGSTONE. 

Livingstone, no — 

I shall not wake 
Thee from thy sweet 

And peaceful rest, 
Dream on till the 

Judgment day-break, 
Then you rise with 

The number blest. 

Thou hast only 

Fallen asleep 
After labor 

Faithfully done 
Thru grief and tears 

And weary weep 
For Africa 

A rising sun ! 

When with His word 

You lit a flame 
In that sin-dark 

Slave-trading land, 
The grace thru faith 

In Jesus' name 
Broke the night on 

That heathen strand. 

From Zambesi 

To Loanda, 
Thy praying voice 

And life yet thrills 



Those savage wilds, 
Yea, near and far. 

And lifts xhe Cross 
On crimson hills. 

0, sleep on, rest 

Under the vine, 
Th}^ star-lit dome, 

In peace and love, 
Sustained and kept 

By Him Divine — 
Thy God doth wait 

Thy spirit Home. 



PARADOX. 



Yea, I am the Manna 
From Heaven down, 

I am the Eed Sea Cross 
And Pharaoh's Drown. 

I am the Jordan Ford 
And Jericho's Fall, 

I am the Blast and Shout 
And the Tumbling V/all. 

I am the Love and Lead, 
A kind Shepherd Hand, 

I am Milk and Honey 
And the Promised Land. 



PEIENDS. 

The hand of death may strike you home, 
The day may bring no bread within 

And night may find no place to roam, 
But nothing hurts you like a harmful 
friend. 

The thief may rob you of your gold, 
The wrong may take you from your kin 

And fires may leave you in the cold, 
But nothing robs you like a roguish 
friend. 

The good may turn you from the door, 
The rich may have no loan to lend 

And time may find you sad and poor. 
But nothing grieves you like a grievous 
friend. 

The birds may sing you songs of glee, 
The jay may duet with the wren 

And thrush may solo sweet to thee, 
But nothing chimes you like a cheerful 
friend. 

The vines may race around your fence, 
The rose may poke its head within 

And nosegays nose you sweet essence, 
But nothing does you like a Darling 
Friend ! 



THE NIGHT. 

What awful night 

And frightful this! 
No stars in sight. 
No moon to kiss. 

Gold-waves of light 
From yonder sky. 

Like gods in flight 
Would daze the eye. 

The howling wind, 

A mad coyote. 
Drove black clouds in 

Like lignite smoke. 

And drenching rain 
In floods came down. 

Baptised the plain 
For miles around. 

hell-strewn night 
And dreadful this ! 

No stars in sight 
No moon to kiss. 



MT. SINAI. 

great was the day 

On Mount Sinai, 
When the Lord came down 

From clouds on nigh 
And spoke to Moses 

Of IsraeFs sin 
.\nd the Mount was rent 

And the palms did hend. 

And around the Mount, down 

The valley bed, 
The Israelites wept 

And bowed their head 
To an angry Grod 

Who spoke the word 
Th'dt Moses, the meek 

And humble, heard. 

And the smoke arose 

Mid lightning play 
xVnd mantled the plain 

And veiled the day 
While Jehovah spake 

And gave command 
To men of Israel 

A.nd promised land. 



GARRISON. 

Lloyd Garrison, 

Thy deeds so brave 
In darkest hours 

Of Slavery^s night 
Still live to loose 

And free the slave 
And lead the poor 

To freedom's height. 

Jails and mobs could 

Not stop thy cause 
'Not stay thy voice 

And pen from right. 
You spoke when all 

Was doubt and pause 
And struck the cause 

With all thy might. 

No, no, you are 

Not numbered dead, 
You, you live on 

In every breast 
And home and land 

To break the dread 
Of weary souls 

And give them rest. 



10 



LOOKING BACK. 

Back, back, the circling years 

When you were bom. 
Back, back, thru toys and tears 

Strewn all along. 

And count mistakes you made 

When you came on, 
On down the broad highway 

You trod upon. 

You see how spent your days 

Now gone behind, 
What hills and dales you made 

And mountains climbed. 

Did, did the good outweigh 

The husk and chaff? 
Did you find time to pray 

And sing and laugh? 

Then, then you made it well 

And not all shame; 
Heaven your deeds will spell 

And with your name. 



11 



1913. 

Tell me where the past year 

Has winged and flown 
Filled up with love and fear 

And days full grown? 

Will it come back again, 

Way afterwhile. 
Back through the rough and rain. 

Mile after mile? 

Will it come back to sing 

For me just once more, 
And make my big heart ring 

As in days of yore? 

No, if s gone to judgment, 
Before His righteous face. 

To tell each moment spent 

During the twelve months' chase. 

Good-bye, Nineteen Thirteen. 

Good-bye, Good-bye, Good-bye, 
Just a few days between 

Before I track thee, nigh. 



12 



ROOSEVELT. 

Theodore Roosevelt, Cavalier, 

Of centuries of wisdom born, 

Of noble strain of Holland blood, 

Drank deep from Harvard's golden Fount 

And rose champion of human rights. 

As statesman, firm and true was he 

And never trembled under fire. 

But bleeding struck the wrongs of men 

And weal, or woe could still him not. 

When Spanish war clouds hung lowly. 

Over our coast, foremost was he 

To buckle sword and mount his steed, 

And lead the Black Immortals on. 

And scaled the heights of San Juan Hill ! 

Mid cannon smoke and roaring guns. 

The flag of Spain went down, and ours 

Up instead — the symbol of peace 

And power to a waiting world ! 

And fearless, bold as a lion, 

He followed those African trails 

Through that ungodly, mid-night land 

And lit a light in alien 

Climes that shall not glow dim or low, 

But brighter with the circling years. 

Hail, hero of the Panama 

Canal, Caesar, Napoleon, 

The world's biggest and brightest star. 

Chevalier, Theodore Roosevelt ! 



i'6 



CHRISTMAS BELLS. 

Ring, ring, throughout the land, 

Sweet Christmas bell, 
Ring over ice and snow. 

Where heathens dwell. 
And wake up the sleepers 

Throughout the earth 
And tell them of Jesus 

And lowly birth. 

And tell about the star 

That led wise men, 
Of the Angel chorus, 

"Good will to men,^' 
Of Christ the Redeemer 

In swaddling clothes. 
Of the Prince of Pea^e 

Right at our doors. 

Ring loud, sweet Christmas bell, 

The rich and poor. 
Ring over vale and hill. 

The wide world o'er, 
And ring them of Jesus, 

Our Savior, ring, 
Ring of the Redeemer, 

Of Israel's King! 



14 



THE COMET. 

The night was still and calm, 

No sound in air. 
The stars were strewn along, 

The moon was fair. 

Charmed by the milky-way, 

Its beaming path, 
I took no thought of day 

Approaching fast. 

Then suddenly there came 

Out from the West 
A comet's golden mane 

And firey crest. 

Those gone to bed that night 

Awoke to see 
That blazing, blood-red fright. 

What could it be ? 

Some said, "'Tis judgment day," 

Some wept and fled. 
Some knelt in fear to pray 

And some fell dead. 

Out in the far beyond, 

On that sad night, 
We watched it all along 

Till out of sight ! 



15 



CHILDHOOD. 

I like the dreams 

Of days gone by, 
Of babbling streams 

And pale-blue sky. 

let me peep 

When as a child, 
When I would fleet 

Opossums wild. 

Let me run round 

My boyhood run 
Where joys were crowned, 

No weeping done. 

Give me my top 
And ball once more. 

My skip and hop 
And school-days o'er. 

Let me run back 
To mother's arm, 

My bib and nack 
And love-nit warm. 

But I'm a man 
Of care-worn days. 

Must plot and plan 
No childish plays ! 



16 



"JUNETEENTH." 

Every nineteenth day 

Of sunny June 
When corn and potatoes 

Are in their bloom, 
And watermelons good 

And ripe and fine, 
The Colored celebrate 

And "have a time." 

Every train and road 

Running to town 
Is jammed with people 

From miles around, 
Blocldng streets and corners 

Cafes and Inns 
Just a waiting the hour 

The P'rade begins. 

Soon the band of music 

Sounds loud and sweet 
And bedecked vehicles 

March down the street 
Where the grounds are ready 

And big men speak 
And ball games and races 

And some'n to eat. 



17 



There is barbecue-beef, 

Pork, bread and chance 
To fun and be merry 

And "Teddy Bear Dance'' 
Till the sun goes o' Sleep 

Under the hill, 
Leaving black folks shouting 

And prancing still. 



UP. 

Though sorrows bear 

You down, 
Get up and stand 

Your ground. 

Why trouble, cry 

And weep? 
On the bright side. 

Just peep. 

Look up and laugh 

Right loud. 
Drive way the gloom, 

Be proud. 

Then will each day 

Be bright; 
Every vision, 

A light! 



18 



BRUISED. 

I'm bruised 

By the thorn 
Of the wrong 
Pressing on, 

I'm bruised. 

I'm bruised 

By the way 

Sinners do 

Every day, 
I'm bruised. 

I'm bruised 

'Cause the right 
Gets a wound 
In the fight, 

I'm bruised. 

I'm bruised 

O'er my folks 

Everywhere 

Under yokes, 
I'm bruised. 

I'm bruised 

'O'er the poor 

In distress 

At my door, 
I'm bruised. 



19 



UNCLE SAM. 

Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, 
Look, prostrate at your door, 

There wounded, bleeding and 
Dying, lies Mexico ! 

Her farm and home is waste. 
Her pride is dead and chill 

And no light is beaming 

From the dark, blood-run hill. 

How long, tell me, you will, 
With folded arms sit by 

And let her groan and bleed 
And wink your eagle eye ? 

Your mighty men and main 
Will heal the chronic sore 

If thou wouldst lift thy hand 
And bid her war no more. 

Yea, Uncle Sam, one wave 

Of thy magical rod 
Can make the nation whole 

And raise it from the sod. 



20 



BUTTERFLY. 

In a robe of purple 

And of crimson and gold, 
Is the Queen of Flowers 

In a dance on the hill, 
Just a flitting about 

From poppy to mar'gold, 
For tribute of nectar 

And a drink to the fill. 

Golden wings are the harps 

That are played by the wind 
As she flits here and there, 

Just a poking her bill ; 
The music is the glee 

Of the fairies that grin. 
Just tickling violets 

And the gay daffodil. 

Her kingdom's the Flora 

Enchanting to the view; 
The scepter^s her beauty 

Charming Carls and Car lines, 
Witching imps and the nymphs 

And the babe thru and thru, 
Enrapturing us all 

In myriads of dreams ! 



21 



MOCKING BIED. 

0, listen to the song 

Of the gay mocking bird. 
As she wabbles along 

Over the wild woods heard. 

Chee-ree-chee, chee-ree-chee, 
To-weet-tweet, to-weet-tweet, 

Chee-chee-chee, chee-chee-chee, 
Twee-twee-tweet, twee-twee-tweet ! 

Then she flits from the limb 
Of the elm to the ground. 

Continuing the hymn 
Over the glen sent round. 

Tweet-tweet-tweet, tweet-tweet-tweet 
Tweet-twee-twee, tweet-twee-twee, 

Tweedle-tweet, tweedle-tweet. 
Twee-twee-twee, twee-twee-twee ! 

Now she raises her wings 

Like an archer his bow, 
And darts on where she sings 

The sweet notes o'er and o'er. 



22 



DONE. 

When I am done 
My lips and down 

And gone my run 
And made my round , 

There'll be no cross 
My Starry crown ! 

When I meet death 

In final fight, 
I shall not fear 

Nor turn in flight, 
I will press on — 

There'll be no night ! 

Death has no sting 
Nor swords for me. 

For they were won 
On Calvary 

WHiere Jesus died 
To make me free. 

Yea, death will bear 

Me roses 'long 
My snow-white way 

As I go on. 
On up the Mount 

Where Saints have ffone ! 



23 



THO. 

Tho I never sucoeed 

in inaiiinion's world, 
1 pray this one word read 

And to be hurled, 
*^He heard the crying need 
And broke his sweat made bread/' 

Tho I not flight the top 

Where Platos nest, 
But sing it down the way 

"He lived the best 
And frowned no lowly lot, 
But changed the night to day." 

And tho I cross on, down 

The chilly stream 
Alone, but one Friend near. 

My Hope and Dream, 
I'll wear no dismal frown 
Altho no eye be tear. 

Nay, tho I pass not out 

Like Moses did 
On Nebo's lonely hill 

Where Cherubs hid, 
I'll shout Heaven about 
And sing the Angels still ! 



24 



THE FARMER. 

The farmer wakes 
At peep of day, 

To milk and feed 
The cows their hay. 

Old Beck and Kit 
Come prancing on, 

Watching their turn 
Of oats and corn. 

The pigs and chicks 
Swarming his feet, 

Vie for the drips 
Of bran and wheat. 

Out from the house 
The Ma's voice fair, 

Calls Pa in for 
The family prayer. 

When prayer is o'er 
And breakfast had_, 

Out for the farm 
Go sons and Dad. 

There all day long 
In growing grain. 

They plow and hoe 
And laugh and sing. 

These mighty men 
Of toil and song 

I-Iold up the world 
And tote it 'long ! 



25 



RENT. 

Why black-folks stay 
In homes and rent 

When money made 
Just cent by cent 

Would own the farm 
And labor spent? 

The lands are sold 
A poor-man's price 

And they can buy 
And sacrifice 

Till mites and dimes 
Will all suffice. 

The dollars drunk 

In tommy-rot 
And paid in rent 

And "Turkey Trot'' 
Would pay the Deed 

And plant a crop. 

And growing fields 
Of waving grain 

And melons sweet 
And poultry-strain 

Would bank account 
And give them reign. 



2(3 



CRISIS. 

Why yonder mountain flame. 

And roar and smoke, 
And grave the town and fame 

And living folk? 

There's sin on earth, our way. 

In awe, despair; 
There's gloom and dread today, 

A crisis there! 

Why days are dark at noon, 

And people weep. 
And nights still sad, no moon, 

'No time to sleep? 

The sun in crape at noon. 

And hid from eyes. 
Moans trouble now or soon ; 

0, stormy skies ! 

Why hear the bugle call 

To face the foe. 
And scepters break and fall 

On mundane shore? 

There's war against the wrong 

So wild and rife. 
To mould more true and strong, 

The Nation's life! 



27 



DEAF SMITH. 

Though Deaf could hear 
The booms outside 

He knew no fear 
On that great ride. 

On to the ridge 

He bravely rode. 
Cut Vince's Bridge 

Linking the road. 

Crash, crash, down went 

The wooden bow 
In pieces went — 

The stream below! 

Then like a ball 
From Mauser guns 

He told it all 
To Texas' sons. 

When bugles sang 
To Houston's men 

Deaf's big gun rang 
In front with them. 

Deaf Smith, ride on, 

A shining light, 
Through ages long, 

Brave Texas Knight! 



28 



STEPHEN F. AUSTIN. 

Your name shall live in Texas 

Heart and home, 
Your deeds shall greet approaching 

Years in peace, 
Your love will wipe and bid the 

Tear begone 
And free the soul and give the 

Slave release. 

You touched the virgin soil with 

Magic hand 
And made the wood and stream to 

Love thy voice, 
The desperadoes driven 

From the land 
And progress rose amid a 

World rejoice. 

As master, ruler, kind and 

Just and wise. 
The star you planted near the 

Stormy earth 
Is twinkling bright beyond the 

Angry skies 
And Texas shouts the glory 

Of your birth. 

You came to guide and cheer the 

Weary heart. 
The children played and prattled 

On your knee 
And cried and crawled and wept 

When you'd depart. 
You struck the blow that made the 

Lone Star free! 



29 



OUT. 

Ope up your heart, 
Let the good roll out; 

Fly wide your mouth, 
Let the truth sing out. 

Beat back the dark. 
Let the sun peep out; 

Keep a good name. 

Let your light shine out. 

Live a true life. 

Let your deeds speak out ; 
Die a sweet death. 

Let the world tell out. 



THE PAST. 



Why quiff and quaif 

And grieve 
O'er things gone past? 
sing and laugh 

And leave 
The past be past. 

And haunt the moon 

And stars 
And roses' bloom, 
And rid the gloom 

And scars 
And aching swoon ! 



30 



THE NOETH POLE. 

There swings our flag, the Stars and 

Stripes, 
Swung high, from the top of the earth, 
Nailed to the pole by sterling worth, 
Peary, Henson and Eskimos. 
Though seas of ice and falling snow 
And iceberg-mounts climbing the skies. 
And chilling winds, howling and wild, 
Faced them like sabered foes to fight 
And guard the pole by day and night. 
Those hooded, fur-clad, rock-willed Kings 
Conquered them all and reached the goal. 
Before, no human foot had trod 
Where Northern routes have found their 

end. 
And every way eyes look is South. 
There lies the dreamy, long sought pole 
Found nestled in the biting snow. 
By brave, snow-mounted, rough-hewn gods 
Peary, Henson and Eskimos, 
Whom Nations laud and love to bow. 
And new and unborn years will sing 
And wreathe in roses, ferns and fame. 



31 



GO. 

Go 
Upon the hill, 

Not down too low, 
Up by the rill 

Where daisies grow. 

Go! 

Go, 
Go down the road 

Where sorrow lives, 
Go life the load 

Where sin brought tears. 

Go! 

Go 
On in the rain 

And sacrifice. 
On in the name 

Of Jesus Christ. 

Go! 

Go, 

Go till the time 

Has hid thine eye, 
Go till you climb 

The vaulted sky. 

Go! 



32 



THANKSGIVING. 

Let us run back over the year 

Gone fleeting by 
And behold each great blessing near 

And answer, why? 

Who lead us, Pilgrims on the way, 

O'er cliff and hill 
And bore our sorrows every day 

When dark and still ? : ' 

There is a glorious Power 

No eye can see. 
Each soul should thank and praise each 
hour 

And bend the knee. 

Let every mountain bow and voice 

Our Holy King 
And every isle and sea rejoice, 

The whole world sing! 



33 



0. 



0, let me out 

Where wild birds sing, 
Out where roses 

And babbling spring, 
Out where the trills 

Of blue jays ring. 
0, let me out ! 

0, let me out 

Where lilacs grow. 
Out where tulips 

Honey bees know. 
Out where lilies 

Are laughing so. 
0, let me out! 

0, let me out 

Where love vines run. 
Out where the hares 

And squirrels fun, 
Out where their dens 

Have Just begun. 
0, let me out! 

0, let me out 

When suns hang low. 
Out when the eve 

Sweet Zephyrs blow. 
Out when my Doll 

Will love me so. 
0, let me out ! 



34 



EDEN. i 

Eden, Adam's palatial throne 

Set up by God, 
When blowing willows made their home 

And angels trod. 
Long, long, hast thou been desolate, 

Thy beauty flown. 
Because of Eve and Adam's fate 

And sin made known. 

No more earthly Eden to be 

Except in joy, 
No more flaming swords for me 

Save sin employ. 
My Eden waits beyond the sky 

Where Jesus reigns, 
Where souls of saints can never die 

And Gabriel sings ! 



35 



EISE. 

Thou indolent 

And stout of heart. 
Why sit and fret 

Thy life away? 
Arise and bid 

The gloom depart 
And look the sun, 

A bright noon day. 

It gladdens you 

The whole round world 
And wakes the king 

From his rich lair 
And holds the earth's 

Perpetual whirl 
And fills the land 

With golden glare! 

Take hope, Friend, from 

A cheerful ray; 
Move right on with 

The busy times; 
Success will laugh 

And make you gay 
And lisp: "Make hay 

While the sun shines/^ 



36 



THE CALL. 

Like the thrills of the bugles of war, 
That are calling the brave to the front. 

He is calling us, men, not to mar, 
But the evil and wrong an affront. 

Let us buckle our swords and our shields, 
We must step by the rap of the drum ; 

There are vices intrenched in the fields. 
There is work for our King, not begun. 

With our hearts that are earnest and true, 
IWith our lives that are happy and right, 

And our souls that are noble and pure, 
There'll be God and His Host in our 
fight. 

Though the smoke of the strife hover long. 
And the song of the battle cry last; 

Let us face to the right and march on. 
Let us answer the King and His blast ! 



37 



THE NEGRO. 

From the field of 

Cane and corn. 
From the farm the 

White man owned 
Came the Negro 

'Thout a home. 

Lincoln lived for 

Everyone, 
Broke the chain to 

Free the poor. 
Brought new hope to 

Black-man door! 

Glad as lark out 

On the mow'r 
Negro sang of 

Slavery o'er, 
Went to work just 

As before. 

Thru furnace and 
Flames he went 

Mid tears, grievous 
Hardships spent 

Learning what his 
Freedom meant. 

Step by step the 
Hill he climbed — 

Daisies, roses, 
Columbines, 

Kiss-me-nots and 
Cape jasmines! 



38 



1914. 

Hello, Nineteen Fourteen, 

How-do ? Hello ! 
As Nineteen Thirteen fled 

You ran ashore. 

Have you landed to stay 
The twelve months long 

And bring me violets 
And red bird song? 

0, I bid you welcome 

All o'er the land, 
To sow His light and love 

On every hand. 

And as you go sowing 

By night and day, 
Love from the hand of God, 

Please sow my way. 

Then I will fill each day 

With noble deed, 
I will answer the call 

Of love, indeed. 



39 



JOURIvrEYING. 

Hark, whiffs of human souls 
Journeying to their goals, 

On their way, 

Every day, 
On where no dripping snows. 

Like armies on the plain 
Thru sunshine, drizzling rain. 

On they go, 

To and fro, 
Some sing and some complain. 

^t last each one shall end 
The race we all begin 

At our birth. 

On the earth. 
When life and death shall blend. 

Some everlasting peace. 
Some soul's eternal grief. 

No sweet day, 

No bright ray, 
Where woe will never cease ! 



40 



THE TEXAS FLOOD. 

(November, 1913.) 
All along the Brazos 

And little Trinity 
And the Colorado's 

And the Guadalupe, 
The coYvs, hogs and horses 

And cotton, oats and corn 
Were all total losses 

And neighbors, swept and gone. 

mighty, the waters 

And terrible, the scene 
That hushed the world's laughters 

And drenched the lowland clean, 
yind where log cabins stood 

And loving ties were made, 
There is death and drift wood 

Along the bottoms laid. 

And little Ann who played 

In the arms of Mamma 
And gay young Ike who stayed 

Hand in hand with papa 
Were drifted right on down 

The gurgling mad-run stream 
And strangled, left to drown 

Mid sad and doleful scream. 

And thousands were marooned 

In town, on limb and hill 
And slvie.^ were black, not mooned. 



41 



And people starved and chill, 
But up from bank and store 

Large boats of ration came 
And clothed and fed the poor 

So cold and wet with rain. 

'Twas but a mighty stroke, 

A powerful Hand struck hard. 
That summons man his yoke 

And points him to his God, 
But by and by, meanwhile. 

When faithful hearts shall sing, 
Sad homes, once more, shall smile 

And huts, the banjos ring. 



PEACE. 

Why not brothers live in peace. 
Let the wrong and anguish cease ? 
Truer, nobler each would keep. 
Days would dare to sigh and weep. 

Sweet is peace of righteousness 
Flowing free from breast to breast, 
Moving soars that trouble made. 
Quieting storms of evil raid. 

Days must fill with golden deeds. 
Deeds that help wherever needs. 
Deeds that aid the right along. 
Deeds that live when we are gone. 



42 



ONE. 

(Me and Sophomores) 
1913. 

Let days grow chill and cold, 

And nights be sad, 
Your smile, like times of old, 

Will make me glad. 

Let bluebells lose their charm. 

And Spring be past, 
My love will still be warm, 

And ever last. 

When bent and worn with years, 

In olden days. 
Your care will dry my tears, 

And light my ways. 

When long unbroken sleep, 

Shall seal my eyes, 
Your love 1^11 ever keep, 

Beyond the skies. 



43 



HEARTEASE. 

My heart is sore 

And sad of sin, 
I want to be 

In joy with men, 
I want to greet 

Each day aright, 
And make my round 

In full delight. 

Sorrow is rust 

Of human ore, 
That eats the sweets 

That sages know. 
That dims the eye 

And stifles right. 
And leaves the soul 

In dismal plight. 

It's peace that brings 

Us glory here, 
To 'pease the heart 

Wipe way the tear, 
That folds its love 

Around you tight. 
And bids you ease 

And rest at night. 

Heartease, Soulrest 

Be e'er with me. 
And keep the comb 

Of honey bees, 
Your song is hope 

Your crown is life. 
Your throne is just, 

Your home is light. 



41 



THE COLOEED FAIR. 

And not a sound was heard. 



Not a chirp of a bird 

As I rode from the Colored fair 
Where hobbies were whirling 
And the swells were girling — 

The bnck-and-wing dancer was 
there. 

And black-face comedians 
And sweet girls, chameleons, 

And the trick for trapping dollars, 
And the choice of the farm 
Made a hit all day long. 

Gee — ^blacks from the hills and 
hollows ! 

And the clock struck 2 late 
As I fumbled home gate 

And the rooster was crowing day, 
And the night was a chill 
And the moon was sleep still 

But the stars lent me a bright ray. 



45 



HIKIN'. 

Dear, please stop callin' and courtin' 
Me now, 
I^m going off, 
Way North, 
All aboard the ocean steamer, 

I'll not lost, 
I am goin' to sail the sea. 
Way roun'. 

isTow, don't be smilin' aand squeezin' 
My han', 
I must take ship 
And skip, 
I am goin' to gird the globe. 

My world roun' trip, 
I'm goin' to see Greece and great 
Japan! 

Babe, just quit lookin' and laughin' 
At me. 
Soon I'll be gone 
Along 
On the Mister Morgan Liner, 

My big trunk on, 
I will sing the waves of the deep 
Blue sea. 

Sweet, cease pleadin' and pullin' me 
About, 
I'm goin' 'way 
Today, 
I am goin' aroun' the worl' 

Thnu Baffin Bay, 
Now kiss me , Darlin', let me hike 
Right out: 



46 



THE BATTLESHIP TEXAS. 

Hail, blue-bellied monster 

Of the fathomless deep, 
Our National honor 

And our safety keep ! 

Thou art our hope and trust 
When days are dark and drear, 

One belch from iron throats 
Will make the dark way clear. 

No foe shall strike our shore 
When thou art prowling by, 

And none will feint the flag 
When thou art dancing nigh. 

Prowl on, death-monster, prowl 
And ride the reckless waves. 

We rest in peace secure, 

Our lands and homes are saved! 



THE HIGHWAY OF LIFE 

As we go laughing down 

Life's highway, 
Let us watch our footsteps 

By night and day 
And look for the briar 

And deceitful thorn. 
For the stumbling block 

As we go on. 

And at times we will greet 

No big red rose, 
No sweet geraniums 

And no solos 
But the good and the bad 

We all must meet. 
After calm then the storm. 

The bittersweet. 

Though the way may be rough. 

The moon asleep, 
Go on and be singing, 

"No time to weep." 
At the end of the race, 

A wreath and crown 
For the man who goes on 

And ne'er gives down. 

Though the skies are not blue 

Always, o'erhead 
And the sinking sun paints 

No landscape red. 
Let us push on, forward 

And make the goal. 
At the end of the road, 

A crown of gold! 



48 



PICCANINNY. 

The little tan gosling. 

Mamma's joy, 
Byes spick and span, sparkling, 

Papa's boy. 
Hide and seek with Kitty, 

His torn cat. 
His trousers in tatters, 

Lost, his hat. 
His hair crisp and curly. 

Blouse all torn. 
Eyes spick and span, sparkling, 

Shoes outworn, 
Tops and toys, balls and boys. 

Play and sing. 
In and out "cutting" the 

"Pigeon wing.'' 
Little piccaninny. 

Mamma's joy. 
The little tan gosling. 

Papa's boy. 



THE AERONAUT. 



Thou Aerial Man-bird 
Of the flickering sky, 

Thou Dream, hoary ages heard 
And saw afloat on high: 



•O' 



No more shall scientists' quest 
Of toil and weary be, 



49 



Tliou art winged from thy nest. 
Over the land and sea. 

We glim thee like an ocean speck, 

Sailing the silent air 
And awe-strained eye can scarce de- 
tect 

Thy white wings outspread there. 

Sail on, sail on and soar 

The whirling, snow-drift cloud; 
Thy deed shall thunder-roar 

And win thee laurels proud. 



SWEET LOVE. 



When suns go down 

The Western hill 
And I sit lone 

And sad and still. 
My Dear Sweet Love 

Comes back to me. 
And lights my heart 

And makes me free. 

Though nights be sad 

And I am lone. 
Mid trials and tears 

And things my own. 
My Dear Sweet Love 

Comes back to me. 
To cheer and sing 

And with me be. 



50 



LOST LOVE. 

One night I lay dreaming 
Of long Lost Love, 

When came to me, seeming, 
Chantings above. 

And golden bells ringing 

And rippling lyre. 
And sweet voices, singing, 

Of Angel-choir. 

The lyre kept o' playing, 
"Be true; Confide" 

One angel lisp, saying, 
"I'm still thy bride." 

The choir sang 0, singing 

Like Noah's dove, 
I woke quickly, springing — 

'Twas long Lost Love! 



51 



LET ME. 

I like to be on, up 
At the lark's first chirp 
In early morn 
And gulp my scanty sup 
And be hard at work 
At the day dawn. 

But when red is the knoll, 
Just before sunset, 

At the close of day, 
Let me green meadows stroll 
Among violets 

And pink blossoms gay ! 

And then after the birds 
Have all ceased singing 

Sweet solos their might 
And as the wild sheep herds 
Have ceased cow bells ringing. 
Let me dream all night! 



52 



WITH ME. 

Dear, I don't want yon love me 

Cause I own my home, 
Just love me cause I love you 

Every bite and bone. 

And you must not woo me f or 

My wee money bags, 
And I don't want you flirt me 

For my few "glad rags." 

Don't you sweet me. Cheerful, cause 

I got a "good time," 
But hug and kiss me, Darling, 

When my luck declines. 

And don't pick and play me cause 

I am young and gay, 
Unless you stay with me when 

I am sad and gray. 

I would not have you wed me 

For the mite I've got, 
For when I'm broke and shaky 

You'll bundle and trot. 

I want you with me, Lovey, 

Thiu the fitful years. 
And you must stick close to me 

Thru my joys and tears. 

I want you bring me roses 
When I'm sick and down, 



53 



And you laid side beside me 
In the cold, damp ground. 

You must be with me, Precious, 

When I rise to fly, 
0, you must go long with me 

Yon the sun-lit sky. 



ON AN^ UP. 



Though hideous monsters 

Face me like mountains, high; 

I'll go on, ril not fear, 
I will have wings to fly. 

Yet the sun may not smile 

In yonder fitful way; 
I'll sing on, I'll not doubt. 

He'll soon turn night to day. 

Though Dearie may seem cold 

And I may weary be; 
I'll laugh on, I'll be sweet. 

He'll love and be with me. 

World, bufl me, and knock me. 
Tumble me to the ground ; 

I'll get up, I'll not fail, 

I'll soon wear golden crown! 



54 



BREAD. 

0, Kings of Wealth, 

How may you boast of rank. 
Of stock and bond and bank 

If these be stealth? 

Sure thou shalt know 

If these be blood and tears. 
Ill-gains, piled up, of years 

They soon must go ! 

Shall some men slave 

While others reap the gain 
And flaunt in earthly fame 

And no suns brave? 

No. Hast thou read 
In writ and Holy Book, 
The wrongs that He forsook. 

Thy sweat is bread? 



HOME. 

The home is like a hedge 
Where birdlings fledge^ 

Where dandelions wake 
And streamlets flow. 

There joys may laugh and sing 
Or sorrows grow. 

There passion-waters play 

Their deadly way 
And better weeds may sprout 

And bloom and fruit, 
Ah, Mother, these the thorns 

We must uproot ! 

Those slime-polluted streams 

And vicious dreams 
Should not the nation drown 

In woe and wail. 
Our scions, strong must be, 

Must never fail. 



56 



THE BOOTBLACK 

"Grentlemen, 

Have a shine? 
"Shine 'em up 

For a dime/' 
Shouted Tom 

The boot-hlack, 
With his box 

On his back. 

As men go 

Down the street, 
Tom will peep 

At their feet. 
If their shoes 

I^eed a shine 
He then starts 

A cryin' : 

"Come on, gents. 

Take a shine, 
I can make 

'Em gloss fine. 
On my box 

Place your feet, 
Let me make 

'Em look neat." 

Now away 

Tom will scrub, 
Giving each 

Shoe a rub, 



57 



Going this 

Way and that, 
"Pit-a-pat, 

Flit-a-flat" ! 

When this job 

Is over, 
Tom is on 

Calling more 
To "Come take 

A good shine 
For a poor 

Little dime'M 

HAEES. 

Why speed thru life 
Like mad-run hares ? 

Why not take time 
And Nature's fares? 

To do the plan 
And routine work 

Bids caution, care, 
No heedless shirk. 

The reckless hare 

Bounds on in fright 
Thru briars and bush, 

In thoughtless might. 

Now this should be 
Not so with man, 

Made like his God 
In wisdom planned! 

58 



BOOKER T. 

When the Bell of Freedom spoke, 
Four million chains were broke. 
None to lead the Colored folk, 
None to wear the galling yoke. 

Time was sad and terrified. 
Nights were tears with fratricide. 
Days were dark with cannon smoke. 
None to lead the Colored folk. 

Douglass rose with lion strength. 
Spent his life till all was rent. 
Clouds were slowly passing waj, 
Freedom saw a better day. 

Booker T. of Tuskege-e — 
Aaron-mouth and Moses-reed 
Made the way and took the yoke. 
One to lead the Colored folk. 



59 



ONE AN' ONE. 

Love, my soul is lit up with you, 
Tho love drops are falling 
And red lips are calling, 

My soul is still lighted with you. 

All day in my musing it's you, 

Let me do what I will, 

Let me stir or be still, 
My soul is still musing of you. 

And with me in Dreamland are you, 
Tho rising bells ringing, 
And mocking birds singing, 

My soul is still dreaming of you. 

One half of my soul it is you, 

I am one half of thee. 

You are one half of me. 
We two are but one, me and you. 



60 



RIGHT AND 'RONG. 

How long the ^Eong be crowned 
And Eight be crushed? 

Can Eight be purpled gowned 
And 'Eong be hushed? 

Not till the souls of men 

Are pure and true 
Will Eight o'er ^Eong ascend 

And govern you. 

The Eight will rule the day 

When men are just 
And hold the 'Eong at bay 

As justice must. 

Then will the sceptre pass 
From 'Eong and Shame 

And Eight will sound the blast 
Of Love and reign. 



61 



TEXAS 

Yes, I was born in Texas, 

On the Guadalupe farm 
Where the ribbon cane's growin* 

An' ring dancing was no harm, 
Where the cows an' calves are grazin' 

On the cowboy's grassy plain, 
Where the creeks an' tanks are risin' 

By the ail night, pour-down rain. 

An' I love to live in Texas 

Where the corn an' cotton grow. 
Where the "tato" is asproutin' 

An' the ocean zephprs blow, 
Where the melon is abloomin* 

On the runnin', melon vine 
An' the Negro is as happy 

As a coon persimmon time. 

An' I love to live in Texas 

Where the roses grow full grown, 
Where the mocking birds are singin* 

An' the golden harps are blown. 
Where the white folk are as "white" as 

Any white folk on the globe, 
Where the bank an' bond are smilin' 

To the poor man down the road. 

Yes, I want to die in Texas 

Where my father hoed an' plowed, 
Where my mother cooked an' answered 

When "young mistus" calle d her loud, 
Where my gran'pa sang an' fiddled 

On the old plantation farm, 
Where my gran'ma nursed "young 
mostah" 

When "ole mistus" left an' gone. 

O, I want to sleep in Texas, 

Beneath that tall, green elm tree 
Where the river runs on laughin' 



62 



On its way down to the sea, 
'Till Angels blow their bugles 

An wake me from my dream, 
To join the faithful number 

Beyond the swollen stream. 



A DESERT. 

I^m a desert 

Barren and waste 
When Love is gone, 

No Angel face 
To cheer me on 

From place to place. 

My heart is dead 
Amid the Spring 

And lips are locked 
And cannot sing 

When Love is gone 
And flights her wing. 

My souFs a drouth, 
No pleasures flow 

When Love is gone 
And leaves me go 

In pain and grief, 
A weeping so ! 



08 



LIVE. 

Live and be true, 

A sun-kist rose, 
Live where the pure 

Spring water flows. 

Look for the right 
In life's great fight. 

Look for the light 
On dreary night. 

Watch your Good Friend 

And enemy, too. 
Watch till the end 

Has brought you thru. 

Die when you're dead 

And not before, 
Die when you've fled 
To yonder shore! 



64 



KIPPLING. 

Let me lie calm 

When loud winds blow 
And rap and play 

My front window. 

Let me lie still 

When lightnings flash 
And thunders roar 

And timbers clash. 

let me lie 

And list each sound 
Of sleet and hail 

And rain come down. 

As I lie calm 

And breathing, chill, 
My spirit-soul 

Is rippling still. 



65 



COZY. 

Wlien winds begin to chill 
And freeze outside. 

Let me doze by my fire — 
My chair beside. 

Let the ice mat the earth 
And clouds the sky, 

I will have my heater 
And wood piled high. 

Let the snow rap my roof 
Like wild bird shot, 

I will have my "Kiver'^ 
And warm snug cot. 

When icicles crackle 

The night away, 
I shall sleep sound until 

The peep of day. 



66 



